I have two Italian Greyhounds, here's a picture of them:
Are these animals just lumps of matter or is there something more to them? Is it only people that are not lumps of matter?
Do animals have spirit?
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Re: Do animals have spirit?
Post #2According to the bible, all living things are alive because they have the force for life which comes from God (see Psalms 36:9). All living breathing creatures have the breath of life (Gods active force) in them and are thus different from inanimate objects. More than that, animals (albeit instinctively) display various qualities such as a natural sense of loyalty , courage, power, a strong tendence to protect their young, even sense of playfulness and a natural curiosity, that reflect their Creator.
Biblically, animals are one of life's blessings and a endless source of beauty and wonder; they far from mere clumps of flesh and blood they are a a gift from God,.
JW
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Biblically, animals are one of life's blessings and a endless source of beauty and wonder; they far from mere clumps of flesh and blood they are a a gift from God,.
JW
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.THE PURPOSE OF LIFE, ANIMALS and ... THE EARTHLY PARSDISE
Last edited by JehovahsWitness on Mon Jun 13, 2022 5:29 pm, edited 3 times in total.
INDEX: More bible based ANSWERS
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"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah" - Romans 14:8
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"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah" - Romans 14:8
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Re: Do animals have spirit?
Post #3Should we assume this includes trees. weeds, and mushrooms?JehovahsWitness wrote: ↑Mon Jun 13, 2022 2:53 pm According to the bible, all living things are alive because they have the force for life which comes from God (see Psalms 36:9).
So what of those creatures that don't breath oxygen---don't require oxygen? No breath of life for them?All living breathing creatures have the breath of life (Gods active force) in them and are thus different from inanimate objects.
Even sponges, coral, and jellyfish?More than that, animals (albeit instinctively) display various qualities such as a natural sense of loyalty , courage, power, a strong tendence to protect their young, even sense of playfulness and a natural curiosity, that reflect their Creator.
I assume there's supporting scripture for this. Care to share?Biblically, animals are one of life's blessings and a endless source of beauty and wonder; they far from mere clumps of flesh and blood they are a a gift from God,.
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Re: Do animals have spirit?
Post #4JAMES 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect present is from above, coming down from the Father of the celestial lights ...
GENESIS 1: 27, 28
God said to them [Adam and Eve]: “Be fruitful and become many, fill the earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving on the earth.”
PSALMS 8:6 - Good News Translation
You appointed them rulers over everything you made; you placed them over all creation
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Last edited by JehovahsWitness on Tue Jun 14, 2022 9:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
INDEX: More bible based ANSWERS
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 81#p826681
"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah" - Romans 14:8
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 81#p826681
"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah" - Romans 14:8
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Re: Do animals have spirit?
Post #5I agree, and specifically there is scripture stating that animals do have spirit:
This is clearly revealing that animals have a spirit, mysterious and profound though that idea is to us.Ecc 3:21 wrote:Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?
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Re: Do animals have spirit?
Post #6Just to note, Genesis 1: 27, 28 says nothing about animals being one of life's blessings and a endless source of beauty and wonder. Nor are they said to be far from mere clumps of flesh and blood, but are a a gift from God,.JehovahsWitness wrote: ↑Mon Jun 13, 2022 5:12 pmGENESIS 1: 27, 28
God said to them [Adam and Eve]: “Be fruitful and become many, fill the earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving on the earth.
More to the point regarding man and animals, Genesis 1:28 says
"Further, God blessed [A&E], and God said to them: “Be fruitful and become many, fill the earth+ and subdue it,+ and have in subjection+ the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving on the earth.”
Think that subjugating animals amounts to one of life's blessings, and is an endless source of beauty and wonder? Maybe you do, although I believe most people, including other Christians, would not.
Again, do you think that subjugating all the animals amounts to one of life's blessings, and is an endless source of beauty and wonder?”PSALMS 8:6 - Good News Translation
You appointed them rulers over everything you made; you placed them over all creation
As does evilJAMES 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect present is from above, coming down from the Father of the celestial lights ...
Isaiah 45:7 KJV
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.
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Re: Do animals have spirit?
Post #8So, what is this religious "spirit" Christians talk about? How about a good definition and cogent evidence of its existence.Inquirer wrote: ↑Mon Jun 13, 2022 5:53 pm I agree, and specifically there is scripture stating that animals do have spirit:
This is clearly revealing that animals have a spirit, mysterious and profound though that idea is to us.Ecc 3:21 wrote:Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?
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Re: Do animals have spirit?
Post #9I think you can get a thousand answers and rightly so given the many aspects. But look, the original reference (let's start from there) is Genesis 1:2 when the ruach Elohim (/spirit of God) is hovering over the waters. It's essentially a wind / breath. Hence earlier posts that define it as the breath of life. (Not just for humans and animals but plants and other lifeforms too, all of which have a rhythm, or give and take, that breathing represents.)Miles wrote: ↑Tue Jun 14, 2022 5:34 pmSo, what is this religious "spirit" Christians talk about? How about a good definition and cogent evidence of its existence.Inquirer wrote: ↑Mon Jun 13, 2022 5:53 pm I agree, and specifically there is scripture stating that animals do have spirit:
This is clearly revealing that animals have a spirit, mysterious and profound though that idea is to us.Ecc 3:21 wrote:Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?
.
If you want my personal opinion, it's helpful to think of spirit as, say, the spirit of an age. As a movement (like Me Too). As something that can sweep by us, like a wind, and in the process sweep us up. It's something we can get caught up and participate in. That we can give our power to. With a certain value or affirmation at its core. (Just like Me Too which affirms everyone's right not to be harassed or worse by those with power.)
Further, I would argue the Spirit (of God) is that which affirms life in all its forms. To be in the Spirit is to focus all one's efforts to that end.